Taking a temp under the arm?

Question

Dont you add a degree? my newborns temp is 99.1 so if you have to add a degree it would be 100.1 right? She just had her Hep. B shot and they said it might come with a fever, so Im not too concerned Im just also wondering what I should do, if anything! Thanks

-Lorah

Answer 1

Do yourself a favor and BUY an ear thermometer or rectal thermometer - under the arm readings can vary by as much a TWO degrees!

Answer 2

Temperatures taken under the arm(axillary area) are very inaccurate because the thermometers are not designed for that. I have had readings 4 degrees off. The core temperature is the most accurate. This is taken rectally. Most emergency rooms require this method to determine the necessity of an antipyretic. The method I use is one where the infant is being held by a parent (chest to chest)with the child's legs securely straddled around the parent. Lubricate the tip and gently insert into the rectum. Anticipate that the child may move, but in that position the child can be controlled more easily. Give Tylenol based on weight. These days there are many over weight children that make dosage based on age inaccurate. Tympanic temperature (inserted in the ear) is also accurate (only if done properly). It must be inserted gently in the ear and all sides of the probe must come in contact with the skin. Anticipate movement by having the child's opposite side of the head against the chest of a care giver.Good luck. I hope this helped.

Answer 3

Please, to all who recommend a rectal temp - they can be VERY dangerous.
First, if you're taking the babys' temp, it's probably because they don't seem to feel well.
Second, being held down, on their tummies and having a thermometer stuck there is scary and uncomfortable.
Then, how far do you insert it?
And then they wiggle. If you're lucky, the worst thing that will happen is that the thermometer will come out before the final temperature registers. OR the thermometer tip could perferate the rectum. That's a horrible thing to have happen - and recovery is long and painful.
A temperature taken under the arm is just as accurate. As for adding a degree if taken there - don't worry about that. If you tell the childs' doctor WHAT the temperature is, and WHERE you took it, they will properly interpret what it means.

Answer 4

Yes you add one degree for axillary temperature. I would suggest getting a temporal artery thermometer. All you have to do is scan over the forehead and you have an acurate reading in seconds. I bought one last month when my baby had a virus and I LOVE it. It was like $35 at walmart but well worth it. You can even take their temp while they're sleeping!! If your dr says it's okay, a little tylenol should help with that fever.

Answer 5

I am from Australia and we work with degrees Celsius not degrees Fahrenheit but we have to add .6 if the temp is taken under the arm, so I'm guessing you would have to add something but I'm not sure what the conversion is i hope someone else can help you with this one!

Answer 6

Yep, you add a degree under the arm, and subtract a degee rectally.
Just a suggestion, when you know your baby is going in for immunizations, about an hour before the appointment, give your baby tylenol, that'll ward off the fever before it happens. (A trick I learned from the nurse when my baby was having hers.)

Answer 7

With babies it's always best to give the rectal reading, a lot of cheapy thermomiters even at like walmart have a setting for it, so you don't have to worry about adding to the number.
If she/he does have a temp under 6months give her baby tylenol or if over 6 months try baby advil. If they have fever too long can cause brain damage...

Answer 8

yes under the arm add a degree in the rectem subtract a degree and yea dont worry bout the temp tell it gets to about 102 103

Answer 9

It is common for an elevated low grade temp after vaccinations, this should have been explained when your nb received the vaccine. Low grade is nothing to worry about, but tylenol is an option after consulting with the MD. And to correct: Rectal temp is the most accurate temp you can receive.

Answer 10

Sorry that you are going through your first fever. Yup, you add a degree. If she acts like she is not feeling well, you can give her Tylenol if the doctor said it was okay.